Largest crowd in six years hit Great Yarmouth seafront for Wheels Festival

Tourism bosses have recorded the busiest Saturday in years thanks to the weekend’s celebration of everything wheels.

Nearly 60,000 people hit the 2.5km Golden Mile to enjoy the Wheels Festival across the two days, forming part of the largest crowd the seafront has seen since 2018.

Over 900 cars and close to 650 bikes were exhibited across the two days, from classic and whacky to sporty and quirky vehicles.

Headlining the jaw dropping acts were the iconic Ken Fox Hell Riders, a 95-year-old multi-generational family stunt team with its Wall of Death, which saw up to three riders at once attempt death-defying tricks inside a barrel-shaped wooden cylinder just metres from the audience.

Over at St Nicholas Car Park, The Stannage International Stunt Team wowed spectators with a mixture of fire runs, high falls and motorbike and quad jumps.

Britain’s Got Talent legend, the 8ft tall Titan the Robot entertained along the seafront with his inimitable comedy, dance and singing show, while Roger

Blighty, a whacky bike-plane pilot whizzed up and down the Golden Mile waving and interacting with the crowds.

Other attractions included an historic working Rolls Royce Merlin engine used in Spitfires, displayed near the Britannia Pier and a Formula One car simulator for people to experience the feeling of a high-speed race rack.

Best in Show went to a pink and blue short base VW camper on Saturday, while on Sunday an Escort Mark One Estate Cosworth was chosen by the judges.

It was the first Wheels Festival organised by Visit Great Yarmouth.

Lyndon Bevan, Chair of Visit Great Yarmouth, said: “It was an utterly fabulous weekend, the seafront was packed, the atmosphere was electric, and we were absolutely delighted to see tens of thousands of people on the seafront over the two days.

“Our event attractions drew in the crowds and they were nicely complemented with the high-octane stunt acts, who had many jaws dropping with their performances.”

Asa Morrison, CEO of Visit Great Yarmouth, said the overall numbers were really encouraging especially as day two was set against a backdrop of cooler weather and the impending England football match.

“It was our first year running the event and we’re pleased with the number of people coming down to the seafront to enjoy it.

“Early data suggests around 60,000 people joined in the fun over the weekend, which has certainly exceeded our expectations.

“We also had more bikes and cars than anticipated. The weather certainly helped on Saturday as it was the largest crowd we have seen on the seafront for six years.

“There are of course things we intend to build on and develop, but for year one we’re really pleased with its success.”